| Author | Message | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 94 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.194.64  Rating: N/A |
Last weekend we went dove hunting in south Texas. (See my post on facebook about the Hunting Trip from Hell), and had a rather interesting trip along the way. We were driving in a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado Dually, pulling an 8X18 tandem axle trailer with a single Polaris ATV loaded on it. About halfway through the trip we had a DOT officer pull in behind us and start checking us over. Finally, he turned on the lights and pulled us over. When he got up to the drivers window, he informed us that we had a flat tire and that he would like to do a 'state' vehicle inspection. My boss, who was driving, said "No Problem!" Well, the ticket looked like the register receipt after a 2 month grocery shopping trip.. That thing was at least 4' long! Top place was, the chains weren't crossed underneath the tongue. Second place was that there were no marker lights on the side. Third place was that there was no set of three red lights in the center rear of the trailer. Fourth was that a brake light was out on the trailer left rear. When asked about the marker light ticket, he stated that the trailer was over 80" wide, which I knew and had seen in other states, but hadn't heard of here in Texas. When asked about the brake light ticket, he said the brake and tail light MUST work on the left side. He also asked about the weight of the 4 wheeler, as he thought the licensed weight of the trailer and load was way too light, we told him the ATV probably weighed between 600-700 lbs, and the trailer, although heavy, probably wasn't over weight. He had us pull over across the highway and weigh at a steel supply yard. He's allowed to do this by state law.. He can require you to proceed to the nearest place to be weighed. We were legal for 10,000 lbs and the total weight of the trailer and ATV was just a bit over 2700 lbs. Now, I'm not certain that this is applicable in every state, but I know that in Texas, and several other states I've lived in, DOT can and will stop and inspect privately owned and operated vehicles. I asked him about bus conversions, and he said, yes, he is allowed under state law, ******** (I don't remember the number), to stop, inspect and remove from the road any vehicle that he considers to be unsafe in any way. Whhhhheeeeeeeeee! After doing more checking on Texas vehicle code, he wasn't kidding. He actually let us off easy by not making us go through the whole DOT inspection which included brakes, wiring, spring shackles, hitch, among other stuff. Do your self a favor, and do some CYA before you drive off on your next bus adventure! | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Registered Member Username: Gearheadgary Post Number: 1638 Registered: 8-2003 Posted From: 99.35.96.135  Rating: N/A |
Did the Silverado have a USDOT # on it? | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 948 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.38.17 Rating: N/A |
Dallas, good post this is on the BCM board now guys are wrong thinking thinking they can hide behind the private and RV shield I tried to tell them the very thing you posted here. When a vehicle weighing over 10,000 lbs is in a accident Katy bar the door in most states | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 95 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 75.91.194.64 Rating: N/A |
Gary, the Silverado is a POV, no DOT or ICCMC numbers. It's not even licensed to the business, but to the owner of our campground. Clifford, Yup, I don't post on BCM anymore, although I have a lot of respect for what they are trying to do. I've known for decades that if you drive something resembling a commercial vehicle, you are going to be subjected to an inspection at some time. TANSTAAFL: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch! | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Registered Member Username: Gearheadgary Post Number: 1639 Registered: 8-2003 Posted From: 99.35.96.135 Rating: N/A |
The reason I asked was, last year I bought a boxvan to move some stuff from my old shop in California to where I live in Michigan. So many businesses have gone belly up here, that you can buy them for almost nothing, and it was cheaper to buy a van than rent one. At the last minute, I discovered that since the van was over 10KGVW, it needed to be DOT placarded. In Michigan, you also have to have a business name on the vehicle. I tried to explain that I'm just some guy with a box van and not a business, I don't have a business name to put on it. They just stare at me like a goldfish, unable to conceive that a private party would ever own a 12KGVW vehicle. The next question I had was, if I have a USDOT#, do I need to scale? I couldn't get a straight answer in the short time that I had, so what I did, was to register the number, and buy all the decals, but carry it in the glovebox in case they called me on it. I never did get pulled over. | ||
| David Evans (Dmd)
Registered Member Username: Dmd Post Number: 509 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 207.7.178.133  Rating: N/A |
In NY state i have to prove my truck weighs less than 7000 lbs crossing the bridges(more toll$$) The troopers here go for trucks with trailers like moths to a spotlight. Its a good way to generate $ for the state. they zoom up and give you the once over and if they smell money the lights go on. I got pulled at 4am in the pouring rain last April for light out.I hate hauling anything anymore. | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 255 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
For those of you that know friends that have big pickups with big fifth wheels, if the entire rig weighs over 26,000lbs and you're going to New Mexico, better have a class A none commercial license. Hear in California, you can pull up to a 15,000lb fifth wheel, or up to a 10,000lb pull trailer without a special license-no mention on combined weight (unlike New Mexico). Always is a good idea to check the states you are going into for strange or different laws. When I was cross country truck driving, we were expected to know the laws of the states we were traveling into-which of course is absurd. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1307 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.189.153.223  Rating: N/A |
One thing to remember is the weight OF the rig may not be the problem , even when empty. The Entire tow package must be RATED at least at what the trailer is rated at , full or empty! A 2 axle trailer may have a far higher rating than the stuff on the tow vehicle , if caught its a sure ticket EVEN EMPTY! FF | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 972 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 173.78.39.41 Rating: N/A |
In Floriduh a non-commercial vehicle under 8k lb. (I think it's 8k) can tow up to an 80,000 lb. gvw and the operator can do it with a Class E license - FWIW (Message edited by niles500 on September 28, 2010) | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 332 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
I think if you are dragging a flat tire and don't know it, you should get a good looking over, makes sense to me. Police can inspect any vehicle on the road any time. I expect everyone to use their safety chains when they tow and it's not hard to keep the lights in working condition. I would have parked this guy until he took safety a little more seriously. If this were a commercial vehicle, there were 3 or more "Out Of Service" Violations. That means you are parked and not moving until you are repaired and signed off. It's not hard or expensive to do things the right way. Turns out, it's really cheap to do things the right way. I give Texas DOT an atta boy for this one, sometimes it's pretty easy to spot the fools on the road. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 564 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 184.0.3.170  Rating: N/A |
Larry, the ticket read that the chains weren't crossed under the tongue. Yes, the SHOULD be hooked up this way but it's pretty chintzy to ticket a private citizen for that. I think it was that big ol trailer that got the attention. I live in NC and I see DOT stopping private vehicles a lot here. We never used to see DOT stopping any non commercial stuff but with state money woes, I guess they are going for every $$. | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 157 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 69.171.161.128  Rating: N/A |
"but with state money woes, I guess they are going for every $$." "When there's blood in the air the Mosquitoes are thick Grasshopper." -Kung Fu- (Message edited by Jack Fids on September 29, 2010) | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1928 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.91.143.159  Rating: N/A |
If you are in business, and trying to operate legally, wouldn't you want the enforcement community dealing with your shady competitors, who enjoy a significant competitive advantage by running illegal? If you run something that looks like or which is popularly used for a commercial venture, why wouldn't you expect to be investigated periodically? Notwithstanding an unprofessional enforcement officer... Best not to rumble with the ticket folks, they can really tie up your time if you want to get into a pissing match, and they get paid to go to court... Keep the vehicle clean, in good repair, present yourself as invisible on the road, and you get the least trouble, no matter commercial or private. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 616 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193  Rating: N/A |
In SC, a trailer is not required to have a tag. I took a trailer to FL to pick up some bus parts. I got stopped 2 miles before my exit. The cop looked over the trailer as he came up to the window. Since everything mechanically was sound - good tires, all lights working, load properly secured, chains crossed, etc., He only focused on the lack of a tag. I took a humble & self deprecating approach & politely explained SC didn't require private utility trailers to be tagged. He explained FL requirements & we had a nice discussion that turned into friendly banter with some sarcasm & joking involved. I left with no ticket issued & a higher level of respect for the FL patrol. I have no doubt he wouldn't have tolerated any safety violations. | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1002 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.13.161  Rating: N/A |
I live in Florida and have a trailer from south carolina and it belongs to my cousin and he tried to get a license for it and they will not issue him even so much as a title. They only require a bill of sale and you can pull it anywhere you want. I use the trailer here and have the package with bill of sale,and all the other paperword to go along with it and we tried to get something for it and they won't issue anything at all. Moral;; Buy a trailer in South Carolina have your friend get all the paper work and pull to your hearts content. Now this only applies to flat bed type not enclosed.. Gomer | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1312 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.137.210.170 Rating: N/A |
Depending on the weight of the trailer FL only requires a bill of sale. FF | ||
| Jack Hart (Jackhartjr)
Registered Member Username: Jackhartjr Post Number: 64 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 205.188.116.203 Rating: N/A |
Would someone point out to me the TX statute or any other states statute that says the chains HAVE to be crossed? Jack | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 950 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.38.17 Rating: N/A |
Jack,it is in the Texas driving handbook as far as statute I'll see if I can find it for you. Showing my age now but I remember when the safety inspections started there in 1965 for tow able trailers if the safety chains were not crossed and welded to the trailer it would fail, goose neck trailers in Texas require chains also but not a RV 5th wheel they required a break away system good luck | ||
| Dallas Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 97 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.63.132 Rating: N/A |
I can't point out the Texas Statute, but, here is the Federal Motor Carriers Requirement: 393.71 (h)(10)(ii) If chains or cables are used as the safety device, they shall be crossed and attached to the vehicles near the points of bumper attachments to the chassis of the vehicles. The length of chain used shall be no more than necessary to permit free turning of the vehicles. The chains shall be attached to the tow-bar at the point of crossing or as close to that point as is practicable |